"It's almost dinner time. Are you going to stay for dinner?" the empress earnestly asked. It was already winter at that time so the
gates of the Imperial Palace were being locked relatively early. If Felix wanted to stay for dinner, she would have the servants
prepare it earlier.
"No, I have something to deal with. I'm leaving now." At the thought of his wife being in tears, Felix could already feel a
headache. After all, she was his wife and he couldn't just turn a blind eye to her. Moreover, he had already found a good reason
to put up with her. She was from the Yang Clan whose power was pretty significant. Since Matthew didn't want to accept his
respect and liked to play it the hard way, Felix didn't have to be so polite. He had to take advantage of the power that he had.
"Okay, Felix, take care of yourself. It's freezing outside." The empress didn't insist that he stay. Felix had his own beliefs and
ideas, but sometimes he could be a bit reckless. So, she felt like she still needed to guide him. However, when it came to
Matthew, she and her son had never dared to be careless. In this regard, she felt somewhat at ease.
"Mother, I got it," Felix briefly responded.
He was about to leave when the empress stopped him again. "Another thing. Even if you're busy, don't neglect your wife. She is
your wife after all. But most importantly, the support of her clan is important for you. You'll need their support when the time
comes. Don't forget that."
"I understand. Don't worry, Mother. I'll take care of her."
Upon leaving the Sleek Palace, Felix directly made his way to the gates of the Imperial Palace. On the way, he met Lucas who
came to the palace to greet the emperor. Lucas was holding a little fox in his arms, and when he saw Felix, he rushed to greet
him. "Felix, good evening. Did you go and see your mother?"
"Yes." Felix nodded. Only then did he notice the little fox in Lucas' arms. He then asked, "Where did you get that little thing?"
Lucas then held up the fox, so Felix could see it a little better. "Several days ago, it was snowing heavily and a hunter caught it. I
thought that it looked very lovely. Thus, I bought it. The color of its fur is very unique and its quality is one of a kind. Although it
cost me one thousand taels of silver, it's worth it. This little being understands human beings as well."
Felix picked up the little fox from Lucas' hand and said, "I'll pay two thousand taels for it. You can send someone to my mansion
to pick up the money later."
"Well, Felix, it was very difficult for me to find this. And I know it's only been two days, but the little fox and I have already formed
a bond." Lucas was dumbfounded as he stared at Felix who held the little fox in his arms and was walking away fast.
"It's just an animal. If you give it to me today, I'll immediately ask someone to find you a better one in the near future." Felix didn't
even give Lucas a chance to refuse. He thought that the little creature looked very cute. If his wife saw it, she might forget about
the pearl thing.
If this snow fox could stop his wife from making a fuss, Felix would do everything to obtain it. Not to mention two thousand taels
of silver, he was even willing to pay three thousand. Moreover, Lucas had a lot of ways to entertain himself and be happy. Felix
could just send someone to capture another one for him later. His top priority at that moment was to comfort his wife.
For Lucas, it felt like a daylight robbery. He was so helpless that he could only watch Felix's receding figure with his beloved
snow fox. When the emperor heard about it, he thought that it was a joke.
"Since when did Felix start to like pets?" Sherry giggled before saying. "Well, it is Lucas who has always been interested in
playing with those things."
"That rascal is always running around chasing the most exciting thing after the other. It's no wonder that he keeps on losing
focus on more important things like his ambition. I can't blame him in any way. However, what I didn't expect was that Felix is
able to control him." While they were speaking about Lucas, the emperor had a bright smile on his face. Among so many of his
sons, he rarely had to scold Lucas. Although the prince was often idle and was pretty much cheerfully unconcerned about the
future, he would often please the emperor.
"I guess it's good that someone can control him, in case he goes too far. He is already 17 years old," Sherry commented with a
smile.
"You're right, Lucas is 17, but Francis is 20 years old already. Sherry, do you have anyone in mind that would make a good
match for Francis? Would you know if he likes any lady from a noble family?" There was no denying that the emperor favored
Francis very much.
"Your Majesty, you know that Francis has been in poor health since he was a child. He has always been in the Imperial Palace
with me. Recently, his condition has become much better. But he has little to no contact with women at all. Over the years, he
has never been in love with anyone. Because of his health condition, what kind of woman would want to marry him? Now, I'm
afraid that he won't ever find someone to marry! He's definitely in trouble," Sherry stated with so much distress in her voice.
"Even if he has his health condition, he is my son. No one can deny that. Besides, he's a handsome man with a high position. Is
there anyone who doesn't want to marry him? Tell me who the lady is. I will grant the marriage between her and Francis
immediately." Although the emperor had been on guard against Francis because of the rumors that had circulated, it had been
so long since Francis had been confined in his bed. Feeling sorry for doubting his son and believing in those rumors, the
emperor wanted to make it up to him. He wouldn't allow anyone to trample on his son.
"Your Majesty, I'm so worried about him. He's been so weak for a very long time and his condition didn't get better for the past
years," Sherry stated with grief in her eyes. It was really hard for her to talk about Francis without feeling disheartened. She had
given birth to him after 9 months of a difficult pregnancy. She had thought he would grow healthy and strong after that. But, for so
long, he was just surviving and barely living. There wasn't even assurance about his life expectancy. As a mother, how could she
not feel distressed? She continued, "I don't know how much longer he can live. I'm afraid that I'll wake up someday and he'll just
—"
The emperor interrupted her and said, "No, he won't. Not long ago, didn't his condition get so better that he was finally stable?
This boy is very lucky. I'm confident that he'll always be."
"I hope so," Sherry hopefully replied. She leaned against the emperor's chest. She had privately investigated the person who had
poisoned Francis and found out that it was the emperor. She was a little nervous but didn't want to believe that the person who
consciously chose to harm her son was his birth father.